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East Java: Bromo Sunset, Night, and Sunrise

After Kawah Ijen, we were headed to Mount Bromo, and another painfully long car ride... From Ijen to Bromo, it is another close-to-five hours journey.

Bajo's driving skill was, impressive... The way uphill was so narrow, and many bends and curves, yet he was able to speed so fast and overtake slower vehicles like it was the most natural thing to do. He even showed off a bit of the "drift" at one of the bend! Scary but exciting. Thanks to him, we were able to see Bromo in the dusk light.

The mountains, were shrouded in veils weaved by the evening sun rays.

We were so glad that our hotel is Cemara Indah, which probably offered the best view of Bromo. Bring a coffee or tea out from the restaurant, sit at the table and enjoy the view of Bromo right there. Even after the sunset, it was still a very good spot to sit on, and then look towards the sky.

The sky was clear, and full of stars which were previously not observed under a light-polluted city. For someone who grew up in a populated city, it was like one of the wonders of the world that is always there but hidden from the city folks.

I wish I knew how to take in the full view of the Milky way. However, I did not even have a tripod, and the night sky were shot handheld at ISO1600, 25 seconds exposure and aperture of f/3.5... Slight shake can still be noticed in the picture.

As for the night, we tried the warm and spicy Bakso sold by vendors riding around in their motorcycle. Best in such temperature! The spiciness warmed our belly and body.

We then go to sleep earlier to wake up at 3.30am, for Mount Bromo's beautiful sunrise. By jeep we went to the viewpoint, another bumpy hilly sandy ride. We went through the sea of sands in dark, our jeep driver drove like he was racing with other jeep drivers. We were clad in the down jacket rented from the hotel, and many more layers beneath to resist the morning coldness which was about 2 degree Celcius?

Finally, we arrived at the peak. The view at the peak facing the sun, and facing the Bromo volcanoes, are totally rewarding. All the visitors there were staring into the direction of the Sun, in unison.

The crowds there, were equally amazing... I didn't know Mount Bromo is already so commercialised. This volcano is still relatively an unknown among my friends.

As the Sun came up slowly, the surrounding lit up to reveal the morning mists around the mountains. The view towards the sea of clouds with silhouettes of mountain was, exactly as depicted in the Chinese water painting.

The majestic view of Mount Bromo had everyone awe-struck. Especially in such beautiful light.